The National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) has dismantled two cells whose members, steeped in extremist ideology, were active in Zghenghen, Beni Boughafer, Selouane, Ferkhana, and Beni Chiguer, in the Nador province.

"Based on investigations conducted by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, the BNPJ dismantled two cells steeped in extremist ideology, whose members were active in Zghenghen, Beni Boughafer, Selouane, Ferkhana, and Beni Chiguer, in the Nador province, under the names "Al Mouahidine" and "Attaouhid", indicates a statement from the Ministry of the Interior on Sunday.

The members of this cell carried out a series of thefts in the name of what is called "istihlal" (legitimisation of jihad against society, accused of apostasy), and were in contact with radicals operating in northern Mali on behalf of a network specialising in indoctrination and sending volunteers to fight in the Sahel region, which had been dismantled in November 2012", the statement specifies.

It adds that the two cells, which include among their members two former prisoners under the anti-terrorism law, also forged links with extremist circles outside the national territory.

The arrest of the suspected members of the two cells took place under the supervision of the competent Public Prosecutor's Office. They will be referred to the courts once their interrogation is completed, according to the same source.